Saint Dominic de Guzman saw the need for a new type of organization to address the needs of his time, one that would bring the dedication and systematic education of the older monastic orders to bear on the religious problems of the burgeoning population of cities, but with more organizational flexibility than either monastic orders or the secular clergy

Saint Dominic, Dominic of Osma, often called Dominic de Guzmán (1170 – August 6, 1221) was the founder of the Friars Preachers, popularly called the Dominicans, a Catholic religious order. Dominic is the patron saint of astronomers and the Dominican Republic. Ongoing events • 2005 Atlantic and Pacific hurricanes • 2005 Maharashtra floods • 2005 Gujarat Flood • Expo 2005 in Aichi, Japan • Fuel prices • Gomery Comm. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (548x830, 79 KB) Summary St Dominic of Guzman by Claudio, Coello Spanish painter, Madrid school (b. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (548x830, 79 KB) Summary St Dominic of Guzman by Claudio, Coello Spanish painter, Madrid school (b. ... Events December 29: Assassination of Thomas Beckett, Archbishop of Canterbury, in Canterbury cathedral City of Dublin captured by the Normans Wang Anshi of Song China started to carried out reforms in three main structures, education, economy and political system. ... August 6 is the 218th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (219th in leap years), with 147 days remaining. ... Centuries: 12th century - 13th century - 14th century Decades: 1170s 1180s 1190s 1200s 1210s - 1220s - 1230s 1240s 1250s 1260s 1270s Years: 1216 1217 1218 1219 1220 - 1221 - 1222 1223 1224 1225 1226 See also: 1221 state leaders Events May 13 - End of the reign of Emperor Juntoku of Japan Emperor Chukyo... A religious order is an organization of people who live in some way set apart from society in accordance with religious devotion. ...

Life

During the year of 1170 Dominic (in Spanish, Domingo) was born in Caleruega, half-way between Osma and Aranda in Old Castile, Spain. Later historical conjecture assigned him to the local noble family de Guzmán. He was named after the patron saint of the Benedictine Abbey of Santo Domingo de Silos, a few miles north of Caleruega. Calaruega is a small town in Castile, Spain. ... Aranda has several meanings: An older spelling for the tribe and language in the Australian Central Desert now usually spelled as Arrente Aranda, a Canberra suburb named after that tribe. ... A former kingdom of modern day Spain, Castile comprises the two regions of Old Castile in north-western Spain, and New Castile in the centre of the country. ... Guzmán or Guzman may refer to: Abimael Guzmán, Peruvian terrorist and founder of the communist group Shining Path St. ... A Benedictine is a person who follows the Rule of St Benedict. ... Benedictine monastery in the town of Santo Domingo de Silos, a village in the Spanish province of Burgos. ...

A legend stated that before his birth, his mother dreamed she saw her son under the figure of a black-and-white dog, with a torch in its mouth. This legend seems to use the medieval pun on the name of the Dominicans, Domini canes, "dogs of the Lord".

Dominic was educated in the schools of Palencia, afterwards a university, where he devoted six years to the arts and four to theology. In 1191, when Spain was desolated by a terrible famine, Dominic was just finishing his theological studies. He gave away his money and sold his clothes, his furniture and even his precious manuscripts, that he might relieve distress. When his companions expressed astonishment that he should sell his books, Dominic replied: "Would you have me study off these dead skins, when men are dying of hunger?" This utterance belongs to the few of Dominic's sayings that have passed to posterity. In 1194, around twenty-five years old, Dominic became a canon regular, in the diocese of Osma, under the rule of Saint Augustine. Palencia is a city in the northwest of the Tierra de Campos of central Spain, the capital of the province of Palencia in the autonomous community of Castile-Leon. ... A precise definition of the arts can be contentious, but the following areas of activity are usually included: Art / Visual arts Architecture Crafts Dance Drawing Film Literature Music Painting Photography Pottery Sculpture Theater Unlike art, design focuses less on the aesthetics of a thing and more on the functionality of... Theology is reasoned discourse concerning God (Greek θεος, theos, God, + λογος, logos, word or reason). It can also refer to the study of other religious topics. ... A famine is a phenomenon in which a large percentage of the population of a region or country are so undernourished that death by starvation becomes increasingly common. ... A canon (from the Latin canonicus and Greek κανωνικωσ relating to a rule) is a priest who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to a rule (canon). ... Pope Pius XI blesses Bishop Stephen Alencastre as fifth Apostolic Vicar of the Hawaiian Islands in a Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace window. ... St. ...

His gifts made him the ideal companion of his bishop, Don Diego, when he was sent on a diplomatic mission for the king of Castile in order to secure a bride in Sweden for the crown prince of Spain. The mission made its way to Sweden via the south of France. When they crossed the Pyrenees, Dominic and Diego encountered the Albigensians. This is a list of kings and queens of Castile. ... Central Pyrenees. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Cathar. ...

They found themselves in an atmosphere of heresy. The country was filled with preachers of strange doctrines, who had little respect for Dominic, his bishop, or their Roman pontiff. The experiences of this journey inspired in Dominic a desire to aid in the extermination of heresy. He was also deeply impressed by an important and significant observation. Many of these heretical preachers were not ignorant fanatics, but well-trained and cultured men. Entire communities seemed to be possessed by a desire for knowledge and for righteousness. Dominic clearly perceived that only preachers of a high order, capable of advancing reasonable argument, could overthrow the Albigensian heresy. Heresy, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is a theological or religious opinion or doctrine maintained in opposition, or held to be contrary, to the Catholic or Orthodox doctrine of the Christian Church, or, by extension, to that of any church, creed, or religious system, considered as orthodox. ... Saint Peters Basilica in Rome. ... Preacher is a colloquial term for a clergyman, in particular a local priest, pastor or Minister; one who preaches. ... The Albigensian Crusade (1209-1229) was a 20-year military campaign initiated by the Roman Catholic Church to eliminate the religion practiced by the Cathars of Languedoc, which the Roman Catholic hierarchy considered heretical. ...

Returning from Northern Europe after finding that the intended bride had died, Diego and Dominic stayed a number of years in the south of France working among the Albigensians. Diego was forced by the pope to return to his diocese, and Dominic remained in France. There, with the help of bishop Foulques of Toulouse, Dominic first gathered a group of women who had left the Albigensians and formed them into a religious community at Prouille near Carcassonne. Faimos trubadur provensal din secolul al XII-lea. ...

St. Dominic de Guzman, from a photograph of the painting preserved in his cell in the convent of Santa Sabina, Rome

In 1208 Dominic visited Languedoc a second time, and on his way he encountered the papal legates returning in pomp to Rome, foiled in their attempt to crush this growing schism. To them he administered his famous rebuke: "It is not the display of power and pomp, cavalcades of retainers, and richly-houseled palfreys, or by gorgeous apparel, that the heretics win proselytes; it is by zealous preaching, by apostolic humility, by austerity, by seeming, it is true, but by seeming holiness. Zeal must be met by zeal, humility by humility, false sanctity by real sanctity, preaching falsehood by preaching truth." Download high resolution version (723x1041, 152 KB)Dominic de Guzman - from Project Gutenberg eText 13206 - This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Download high resolution version (723x1041, 152 KB)Dominic de Guzman - from Project Gutenberg eText 13206 - This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Coat of arms of the province of Languedoc, now being used as an official flag by the Midi-Pyrénees region as well as by the city of Toulouse Languedoc (Lengadòc in Occitan) is a former province of France, now continued in the modern-day régions of Languedoc... A Papal Legate -from the Latin, authentic Roman title Legatus- is a personal representative of the Pope to the nations, or rather to some part of the universal church. ... The word schism (IPA: or ), from the Greek σχισμα, schisma (from σχιζω, schizo, to split), means a division or a split, usually in an organization. ... A Palfrey is a type of horse, not a breed of horse. ... Proselyte, from the Greek proselytos, is used in the Septuagint for stranger (1 Chronicles 22:2), i. ... Alternate meaning: See Apostle (Mormonism) The Christian Apostles were Jewish men chosen from among the disciples, who were sent forth (as indicated by the Greek word απόστολος apostolos= messenger), by Jesus to preach the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles, across the world. ...

A small group of priests formed around Dominic, but soon left him since the challenge and rigours of a simple lifestyle together with demanding preaching discouraged them. Finally Dominic gathered a number of men who remained faithful to the vision of active witness to the Albigensians as well as a way of preaching which combined intellectual rigour with a popular and approachable style. Preaching is the most important element in the protestant churches. ...

In 1214, Dominic established himself, with six followers, in the house of Peter Cellani, a rich resident of Toulouse. Eleven years of active and public life had passed since the subprior of Osma had forsaken the quietude of the monastery. He now resumed his life of retirement and subjected himself and his companions to the monastic rules of prayer and penance. But the restless spirit of the man could not long remain content with the seclusion and inactivity of a monk's life. The scheme of establishing an order of Preaching Friars began to assume definite shape in his mind. He dreamed of seven stars enlightening the world, which represented himself and his six friends. The Capitole, the 18th century city hall of Toulouse and best known landmark in the city; in the foreground is the Place du Capitole, a hub of urban life at the very center of the city Toulouse (pronounced in standard French (help· info), in local Toulouse accent (help· info)) (Occitan... Monasticism (from Greek: monachos—a solitary person) is the religious practice of renouncing all worldly pursuits in order to fully devote ones life to spiritual work. ... Maria Magdalene in prayer. ... Penance is the actual name of the Catholic Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation (also called Confession). ...

The final result of his deliberations was the organization of his order. In 1215, the year of the Fourth Lateran Council, Dominic went to Rome to secure the approval of the pope, Innocent III. It was not formally confirmed until 1216 by Honorius III. Dominic's order was called The Order of Preachers (Ordo Praedicatorum, or O.P.), or more popularly known as the Dominican Order. The Fourth Council of the Lateran was summoned by Pope Innocent III with his Bull of April 19, 1213. ... Innocent III, born Lotario de Conti di Segni (Gavignano, near Anagni, ca. ... Honorius III, né Cencio Savelli (b. ... Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare Saint Dominic de Guzman saw the need for a new type of organization to address the needs of his time, one that would bring the dedication and systematic education of the older monastic orders to bear on the religious problems of the burgeoning population of cities, but...

Dominic now made his headquarters at Rome, although he traveled extensively in the interests of his growing brotherhood of monks. He was made Master of the Sacred Palace, who functions as the personal theologian to the popes. It has ever since been occupied by members of the Dominican Order.

Throughout his life Dominic is said to have zealously practiced rigorous self-denial. He wore a hair shirt, and an iron chain around his loins, which he never laid aside, even in sleep. He abstained from meat and observed stated fasts and periods of silence. He selected the worst accommodations and the meanest clothes, and never allowed himself the luxury of a bed. When traveling, he beguiled the journey with spiritual instruction and prayers. As soon as he passed the limits of towns and villages, he took off his shoes, and, however sharp the stones or thorns, he trudged on his way barefooted. Rain and other discomforts elicited from his lips nothing but praises to God.lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalal he sang. The term cilice traditionally refers to the hair shirt, a garment or undergarment made of coarse cloth or animal hair. ...

Death came at the age of fifty-one and found him exhausted with the austerities and labors of his eventful career. He had reached the convent of St. Nicholas, at Bologna, Italy, weary and sick with a fever. He refused the repose of a bed and bade the monks lay him on some sacking stretched upon the ground. The brief time that remained to him was spent in exhorting his followers to have charity, to guard their humility, and to make their treasure out of poverty. Lying in ashes upon the floor he passed away at noon, on the sixth of August, 1221. This article is about an abbey as a religious building. ... Saint Nicholas, also known as Nikolaus in Germany and Sinterklaas (a contracted form of Sint Nicolaas) in the Netherlands and Flanders, is the common name for the historical Saint Nicholas of Myra, who lived in 4th century Byzantine Anatolia, (now in modern Turkey) and had a reputation for secret gift... Bologna (pronounced , from Latin Bononia, Bulåggna in the local dialect) is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy, between the Po River and the Apennines. ... This article refers to the act of selfless giving. ...

Inquisition

St Dominic presiding over an auto de fe, Spanish, 1475

What part Dominic personally had in the proceedings of the Inquisition is litigated history. His admirers strive to rescue his memory from the charge that he was "a cruel and bloody man." It is argued that while the pope and temporal princes carried on the sanguinary war against the heretics, Dominic confined himself to pleading with them in a spirit of true Christian love. He was a minister of mercy, not an avenging angel, sword in hand. It has to be conceded that the constant tradition of the Dominican Order that Dominic was the first Inquisitor, whether he bore the title or not, rests upon good authority. The 14th century Dominican Inquisitor Bernard Gui was also the most influential chronicler of Dominican history: he gave to many stories their definitive form. It seems likely he did not object to a vision in which Dominic figured as an exemplary inquisitor. Download high resolution version (447x762, 127 KB)Pedro Berruguete. ... Download high resolution version (447x762, 127 KB)Pedro Berruguete. ... Pedro Berruguete. ... Representation of an Auto de fe, (1475). ... The Pope (from Greek: pappas, father; from Latin: papa, Papa, father) is the head of the Catholic Church, which considers him the Successor of St. ... Heresy, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is a theological or religious opinion or doctrine maintained in opposition, or held to be contrary, to the Catholic or Orthodox doctrine of the Christian Church, or, by extension, to that of any church, creed, or religious system, considered as orthodox. ... A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. ... An official in an Inquisition, an Inquisitor is literally one who searches out or inquires (Latin inquirere < quaerere, to seek). The Grand Inquisitor, or Inquisitor Generalis, was the chief Inquisitor of an Inquisition. ... This 14th-century statue from south India depicts the gods Shiva (on the left) and Uma (on the right). ... Bernard Gui was an inquisitor of the Dominican Order in the Late Middle Ages during the Medieval Inquisition. ...

What was the nature of the office of inquisitor as held by the saint? As far as Dominic was concerned, it is argued by his friends that the office "was limited to the reconciliation of heretics and had nothing to do with their punishment." It is also claimed that while Dominic did impose penances, in some cases public flagellation, no evidence can be produced showing that he ever delivered one heretic to the flames. Those who were burned at the stake were condemned by secular courts, and on the ground that they were not only heretics but enemies of the public peace and perpetrators of enormous crimes. Penance is the actual name of the Catholic Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation (also called Confession). ... Burning of two sodomites at the stake (execution of individuals by fire. ... This article concerns secularity, that is, being secular, in various senses. ...

But while it may not be proved that Dominic himself passed the sentence of death or applied the torch to the logs with his own hand, he is by no means absolved from all complicity in those frightful slaughters, or from all responsibility for the subsequent establishment of the Holy Inquisition. The principles governing the Inquisition were practically those upon which Dominic proceeded; the germs of the later atrocities are to be found in his aims and methods. By what a narrow margin does Dominic escape the charge of cruelty when it is boasted "that he resolutely insisted on no sentence being carried out until all means had been tried by which the conversion of a prisoner could be effected." Another statement also contains an inkling of a significant fact, namely, that secular judges and princes were constantly under the influence of the monks and other ecclesiastical persons, who incited them to wage war, and to massacre, in the Albigensian war as in other crusades against heresy. No word from Dominic can be produced indicating that he remonstrated with the pope, or that he tried to stop the crusade. In general, very few sayings of Dominic have been preserved. In a few instances he seems to have interceded with the crazed soldiery for the lives of women and children. But he did not oppose the bloody crusade itself. He was constantly either with the army or following in its wake. He often sat on the bench at the trial of dissenters. He remained the life-long friend of Simon de Montfort, the cruel agent of the papacy, and he blessed the marriage of his sons and baptized his daughter. Special courts for trying heretics were established, previous to the more complete organization of the Inquisition, and in these he held a commission. The Inquisition was an office of the Roman Catholic Church charged with suppressing heresy. ... This article is about the medieval crusades. ... Simon de Montfort, 5th Earl of Leicester, also Simon IV de Montfort (1160 – June 25, 1218) was a French nobleman who took part in the Fourth Crusade (1202 - 1204) and was a prominent leader of the Albigensian Crusade. ... The Pope is the Catholic Bishop and patriarch of Rome, and head of the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Catholic Churches. ...

The Holy Office of the Inquisition was made a permanent tribunal by Pope Gregory IX, in 1233, twelve years after the death of Dominic. Gregory canonized Dominic on July 13, 1234. Pedro Berruguete. ... Papal Arms of Pope Gregory IX. Gregory IX, né Ugolino di Conti (Anagni, ca. ... Canonization is the process of declaring someone a saint and involves proving that a candidate has lived in such a way that he or she is worthy of sainthood. ... July 13 is the 194th day (195th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 171 days remaining. ... Events Canonization of Saint Dominic Collapse of the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) Deaths Emperor Chukyo of Japan Emperor Go-Horikawa of Japan Monarchs/Presidents Aragon - James I King of Aragon and count of Barcelona (reigned from 1213 to 1276) Castile - Ferdinand III, the Saint King of Castile and Leon (reigned...

In a series of articles appearing since 1998 in the Dominican historical journal Analecta Fratrum Praedicatorum, Simon Tugwell, O.P., shows that many older views of Dominic and early Dominican history can no longer be supported. For instance, the whereabouts of Dominic between 1206 and 1210 are not at all clear.

References

• Alfred Wesley Wishart. A Short History of Monks and Monasteries. 1900. Project Gutenberg etext
• Guy Bedouelle, 'The Holy Inquisition: Dominic and the Dominicans', an article on the main Dominican website
• "St. Dominic" by John B. O'Conner. The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1909.

Project Gutenberg (often abbreviated as PG) is a volunteer effort to digitize, archive, and distribute cultural works. ... An e-text (from electronic text; sometimes written as etext) is, generally, any textual information that is available in a digitally encoded human-readable format and read by electronic means, but more specifically it refers to files in the ASCII text file format. ... The Catholic Encyclopedia is an English-language encyclopedia published in 1913 by the Roman Catholic Church, designed to give authoritative information on the entire cycle of Catholic interests, action and doctrine. Starting in 1993, the encyclopedia (now in the public domain) was placed on the Internet through a world-wide...

External links

• Dominic de Guzman - St. Dominic - His role in the Cathar Wars (or Albigensian Crusade).